Going against the grain

[sashamerideth]

Sometimes we just need to experiment with our writing. Sometimes things work, sometimes they don't. There's a lot of learning involved a lot more than can be garnered from a few books and a few forum posts.

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[Sarah Anderson]

So... you disagree with developing characters?

That aside, you're right; it's your story, so if you have the time to write it as an experiment (if nothing else), then go for it.

No not at all. Developing a character and changing him, to me, are not the same. This guy probably will develop but it will revolve around who he is. His core won't change. Maybe he will develop different ways to express himself or how he reacts to people but that's all outward development. He will still be who he is.
.
He's not going to have an epthimy. That I do know.

So yes, I am a firm believer in character development. I just don't intend to do it for him.

 

[Johnny Cosmo]

Well, you did say "changing him in any way is out", but okay. It just doesn't sound like you have much room for significant emotional development with a cold, distant, unchanging, stone character.

 

[ThinkerX]

It just doesn't sound like you have much room for significant emotional development with a cold, distant, unchanging, stone character.

However, there are types of stories where such a character would be ideal. A character like this would be capable of making the really difficult decisions, along the lines of: 'If I don't do action Z, then a million people die. If I do action Z, then it still kills fifty thousand people, including nearly everybody I know - but that is also 950,000 people who get to live.' For a cold, rigid, unchanging character of the sort the OP is describing, this decision would be a slam dunk, and that character type wouldn't go insane as a result of making such a decision.

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

However, there are types of stories where such a character would be ideal. A character like this would be capable of making the really difficult decisions, along the lines of: 'If I don't do action Z, then a million people die. If I do action Z, then it still kills fifty thousand people, including nearly everybody I know - but that is also 950,000 people who get to live.' For a cold, rigid, unchanging character of the sort the OP is describing, this decision would be a slam dunk, and that character type wouldn't go insane as a result of making such a decision.

That's not a type of story, that's a situation. And yeah, that character is maybe better suited to making that decision... but that doesn't make for compelling storytelling.

 

[Neurosis]

When you can't change the character, change the environment.

He may still be a stiff cold bastard, but at the end of it all, hes a stiff cold bastard that saved the world, or baked a cake, or had relations with your mother--whatever.

 

[Devor]

When you can't change the character, change the environment.

He may still be a stiff cold bastard, but at the end of it all, hes a stiff cold bastard that saved the world, or baked a cake, or had relations with your mother--whatever.

Change the relationships and the way he views and is viewed by others. He can be cold, but there can be a great many layers to that. Read or see, for instance, Dexter.

 

[Sarah Anderson]

That's not a type of story, that's a situation. And yeah, that character is maybe better suited to making that decision... but that doesn't make for compelling storytelling.

Don't forget there are other characters in the story as well. Yes he will be a cold, unemotional character and he will be one of the main characters but he's not carrying the entire story on his stone shoulders.

 

[Sarah Anderson]

Change the relationships and the way he views and is viewed by others. He can be cold, but there can be a great many layers to that. Read or see, for instance, Dexter.

Exactly! I am still in the beginning stages but so far i am finding this to be true.

 

[Sarah Anderson]

Well, you did say "changing him in any way is out", but okay. It just doesn't sound like you have much room for significant emotional development with a cold, distant, unchanging, stone character.

I don't think he will develop emotional any further than he already has. He's not a young adult that hasn't had many experiences to help them form who they will be. He's been there and done that. He has no reason to develop any more than he has but most importantly, he has no desire to.

 

[Sarah Anderson]

Sometimes we just need to experiment with our writing. Sometimes things work, sometimes they don't. There's a lot of learning involved a lot more than can be garnered from a few books and a few forum posts.

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I like what you said. I should print it out and tape it on my computer.

 

[sashamerideth]

I like what you said. I should print it out and tape it on my computer.

Hey thanks mostly I am spouting nonesense, glad that sometimes this chick's insane ramblings are useful.

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